Mary Washington students trade textbooks for tools, build Habitat home

Eight University of Mary Washington students spent their spring break in Goose Creek, South Carolina helping Habitat for Humanity build a home.

In the UMW Alternative Service Break (ASB) trip, part of Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge, college students across the United States are called to volunteer during spring break to support the non-profit’s mission to build, rehabilitate and repair homes in local communities and around the world.

The week-long trip enables students to help improve substandard housing and aid impoverished areas. Work began at the Habitat ReStore donation center and ended with handing a set of keys to a new homeowner.

“These students have heart, and we need more of that in the world. Their level of commitment and love for the cause was inspiring. When work was suspended one day due to severe weather, they were genuinely disappointed they couldn’t continue. I know this week will stick with us forever,” Lindsey Coates-Crawford ’18, public programs coordinator for UMW’s James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, who served as trip advisor, said.

The UMW students organized and managed donations to the ReStore, which collects and sells furniture, appliances, home goods and building materials to benefit the Habitat‘s mission. During the rest of the week, they were onsite at Hutchinson Lane Homes, a housing initiative for families in need of safe, affordable spaces. They performed construction tasks, like flooring, siding installation, trim and finish work, painting and landscaping.

The site location in South Carolina was chosen by sophomores Veda Salazar and Faye McKenzie.

“It was really cool to see the entire community turn out to support and congratulate the new homeowner. You could see how happy and proud she was to finally get her house, and it was great we could help a little with that,” said UMW freshman Ian Frazier.

UMW’s Center for Community Engagement organizes alternative service breaks which support civic needs through an exchange of service and learning.

“On trips like this, students not only gain practical skills, but they help and learn about people in need,” Center for Community Engagement Director Sarah Dewees said. “It’s a transformative experience for all involved.”